26 March 1904

AMUSING ASSAULT CASE FROM WOODHOUSES
James Chadderton Once More
The benign countenance of James CHADDERTON, “Jim o’ Dicks,” “Squire of Daisy Nook,” and the owner of several other high-sounding titles, is as familiar to the magistrates whose particular rota lies on the County Bench at Ashton as are the countenances of the court officials themselves, for he is a frequent visitor to the courtroom in the corner of Ashton Town Hall.

It was not surprising, therefore, that his name was down on the list on Wednesday, but it was somewhat of a surprise to see that besides appearing as a defendant for failing to pay the rates, he appeared in the altogether unique role of complainant in an assault case.

It appears from the narrative supplied by Mr Arthur LEES, who appeared on CHADDERTON’s behalf, that on the 12th of March, he visited the hostelry known as the Woodhouse’s Gardeners’ Inn, and after a famous precedent calling for his pipe and calling for his glass, he proceeded to enjoy them.

After he had been in for a short time a man named John BELFIELD asked him if he had been frightening his grandchildren by blowing a penny trumpet in his ear? CHADDERTON admitted the soft impeachment, and BELFIELD demanded to know the reason why, and told him his opinion of his conduct.

When he had finished CHADDERTON, with aggressive calmness, answered, “That’s what Mary said.” Naturally BELFIELD’s choler rose at this, and he hit him over the nose, making it bleed profusely and occasioning much pain. Enoch ROBINSON corroborated.

BELFIELD brought several witnesses to bear out his statements, but the magistrates clinched the case by fining BELFIELD 1s costs, the Clerk advising CHADDERTON to conduct himself in a better manner, and not get himself into trouble in future.

COAL SEAM DISCOVERED
Unusual Scene at Waterhead
During the past few days a seam of coal has been cut in the excavation for the reservoir of the Cairo Mill, Waterhead. The news soon spread in the village, and people began to fetch the coal, the only condition being that they had to get their own.

Men, women, and children engaged themselves as amateur colliers. They brought buckets, sacks, and baskets, and were very busy on Saturday afternoon. Whilst in the thick of their work, they had undermined to some depth, with the result that a fall of earth took place, but fortunately no one was seriously hurt. All escaped with a few minor bruises. The people are still fetching the coal day by day, and they seem quite pleased as they carry away their burden.

AN ASHTON MAN ROBBED AND MALTREATED AT DUKINFIELD
Police Court Proceedings at Hyde
Prisoner Remanded
The hearing of a remarkable case of robbery with violence was commenced at the Hyde County Police Court, on Monday, when the magistrates were Councillor T C BEELEY (presiding), and Henry SIDEBOTTOM. The prisoner was Thomas TIGHE, a young man of Cheetham Hill-road, Dukinfield, a collier, and was charged with stealing by violence from the person of John STEWARD, of 173 Union-road, Ashton-under-Lyne, 3½d in money, one silk muffler value 2s, one pair of braces value 1s, and one pawnticket value 15s, at Dukinfield on March 19th.

Superintendent CROGHAN stated that the police were the prosecutors in this case, which was a very serious offence. It appeared that John STEWARD, who was a factory operative, called at the Wheat Sheaf Inn, Birch-lane, Dukinfield, between two and three o’clock on Saturday afternoon. He went into the tap-room, where the prisoner was sitting, and the prisoner got into conversation with STEWARD, with the result that treated him to two or three glasses of beer.

After a time the prisoner went out of the house, and when at the door beckoned STEWARD to go, and STEWARD went out immediately afterwards. They went along Birch-lane together and then turned up a road, and off that road into a field. There STEWARD alleged that prisoner, without warning or provocation at all, rushed at him and knocked him down.

TIGHE then rifled his pockets, tore his right hand trouser pocket, and tore a piece off his shirt. He took away all the money that STEWARD had (3½d), also a pawnticket value 15s, a silk muffler, and his braces. He then kicked STEWARD about the head and face, and left him apparently for dead.

Soon afterwards prisoner was at Mrs HAWKE’s house in Birch-lane, and his hands were then covered with blood. He asked for a match, and while he was there he said, “I have just given a man a good hiding. He had been using impudence to me, and I have left him where I can find him.”

Ultimately STEWARD got back to the Wheat Sheaf Inn, and the landlord wanted to send him home in a cab, but he would not let him. He got home somehow, and immediately collapsed. They sent for Dr PEARCE, and the result was that for a considerable time on Sunday his life was in danger. The doctor was with him until one o’clock that (Monday) morning. He considered that though STEWARD was in a very precarious condition, he was out of immediate danger, but did not know what the result might be. It depended whether complications — erysipelas, etc — set in.

He (Superintendent CROGHAN) would adduce formal evidence, and then ask for the prisoner to be remanded until Thursday at Dukinfield. He hoped for the prisoner’s sake that the case would not be more serious.

Thomas BRADBURY, licensee of the Wheat Sheaf Inn, Birch-lane, Dukinfield, was called, and stated that John STEWARD was at his house between two and three o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and the prisoner was also there. He saw the prisoner go out, and STEWARD went out shortly afterwards.

About half-past seven at night he (witness) was in the bar when STEWARD came in again, and was in a deplorable state. He was covered with mud and blood. Witness had him conveyed into the living place, and rendered every possible aid to him. He seemed as if he was in a stupor, and he could not get anything out of him. Witness administered restoratives, and wanted to get a cab to take him home, but STEWARD would not let him. He was in a fearful condition. He was battered about the head and face, his eye was cut, and his jaw seemed to be punched off.

Frances HAWKE, a widow of 107 Birch-lane, Dukinfield, said that on Saturday night about seven o’clock, or a quarter past seven, prisoner called at her house and asked for a match. He showed her his hands, which were covered with blood, and he said, “I have just left one man. I have given him a good hiding, too, for his impudence. I have left him where I can find him, quiet enough.” Prisoner pulled a piece of shirt and a pair of braces from under his arm, and said, “You see that?”

Inspector DUTTON stated that at 12.30pm on Sunday he arrested the prisoner at his father’s house in Lodge-lane, Dukinfield. He took him to the police station where he cautioned and charged him, and in reply to the charge he said, “I know nothing about it.”

The Deputy Clerk (to the prisoner): Have you any objection to being remanded? — Prisoner: If my parents were here they would state what time I got into the house. I can’t remember. Of course, when I get any beer, I cannot remember at all. — Superintendent CROGHAN said the father would have nothing to do with him, and if the magistrates granted bail he asked that it be very substantial. Prisoner was remanded in custody until Thursday at Dukinfield.

On Thursday prisoner was brought up on remand at the Dukinfield Police Court, before Aldermen M FENTON, J KERFOOT, and C H BOOTH. The evidence of the witnesses given at Hyde was read to them. Superintendent CROGHAN asked for a further remand for a week. The doctor had stated that the injured man would not be fit to appear before that date.

HURST
Bound Over.— Alfred MARLAND pleaded guilty to committing a breach of the peace in King-street, Hurst, at the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday, and was bound over to be of good behaviour.

Smoking Concert.— The second concert of the season took place on Tuesday evening at the house of Mr J HURST, Seven Stars, Hurst Brook, and was a great success. The following artists gave their services, viz R HANDLEY, B ALDEN, P LOFTUS, J EVANS, J H CARROLL, E MOSS, J FRITZ and T LOWE. Each was heartily applauded, and at the close a vote of thanks was accorded them, a smaller vote being given to the chairman, Mr S HADFIELD. The accompanists were Messrs B ROYLES, J MARSLAND, and A N Other.

WATERLOO AND BARDSLEY
Dramatic License.— At the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday, before Messrs F REYNER and Benjamin GREENWOOD, Robert THOMAS was granted a dramatic license in respect to the M.N.C. School, Waterloo.

Mutual Improvement Society.— An interesting essay was given at the meeting of this society, held in the Wesleyan Schoolroom, Waterloo, on Thursday evening, by Mr FORREST, of Dukinfield, the subject being, “Witchcraft and sorcery.” The paper was much enjoyed by a good audience, and Mr FORREST was accorded a hearty vote of thanks at the close.

Breach of the Peace.— William OGDEN sent a deputy to the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday, where he was charged with committing a breach of the peace at Bardsley on the 5th of March. — Constable BARBER proved the case, and said he was shouting and using bad language at Bardsley, on the date in question. He was fined 5s 6d and costs.

Without Pedlars’ Certificate at Woodhouses.— Emma HIRST and Alice Ann BURKE, two young women, appeared before the county magistrates on Wednesday, charged with acting as pedlars without certificates at Woodhouses on the first of March. They pleaded guilty, but said it was the first time they had hawked, and they had to do so through lack of work in the mills. — They were discharged with a caution.

A Belated Summons: Throwing Kisses at Another Man’s Wife.— At the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday, Harry LOFT and Alfred BURKE were charged with creating a breach of the peace at Waterloo on 18th of June, 1902. An officer proved the case, and said they had been fighting one another. BLAKE alleged that LOFT had been throwing kisses at his wife, an impeachment LOFT indignantly repudiated, emphasizing the fact that “he would not throw dirt off a walking-stick at her.” BLAKE doubtfully shook his head, and whilst the magistrates were conversing, there was nearly another breach of the peace in the box. — BLAKE was dismissed, and LOFT bound over.

SUDDEN DEATH AT WATERLOO
The death was reported to the Waterloo police on Tuesday of Mary HALSTEAD, a widow, residing at 704 Oldham-road, Bardsley, which took place in the early hours of that day at her residence. It appears that deceased had for fifteen years been a sufferer from bronchitis, for which she had been attended by Dr KOYLE, of Oldham, but had not lately been troubled with the complaint.

On Monday she went out a little while. During the early morning on Tuesday she awakened her son, saying her cough was troublesome. She sat up in bed, and her back was rubbed, which generally had the effect of bringing her round, but it failed in this case, and in about five minutes she expired.